‘I was in his ear’: Star Eagle’s cheeky trade plea to brother

Premiership Eagle Jeremy McGovern remains hopeful he can one day play in the same AFL team as brother Mitch McGovern, revealing he recently tried to cheekily coax his younger brother to join West Coast.

Mitch sensationally asked Adelaide to be traded to a rival club in October, with the exciting forward eventually choosing Carlton as his preferred destination.

But upon arriving at the Blues, Mitch revealed he was “very close” to joining either Fremantle or Jeremy’s West Coast, adding there was “definitely interest” from both parties.

While Jeremy already has a coveted premiership medallion — which Mitch witnessed Jeremy win first-hand at the MCG before sharing an emotional post-game moment with him — he said the dream prospect of playing alongside Mitch was just as strong.

“I spoke to him recently and he seems pretty happy over there so as long as the little brother is happy, I’m happy as well,” Jeremy told SEN on Wednesday.

“You never know maybe down the track we might be able to have a kick together.”

Mitch’s manager Colin Young said in September his client had a choice of four clubs to nominate as his preferred destination, with the Eagles being one of those teams.

And Jeremy admitted he was quietly trying to persuade his brother to return home.

“We had a few discussions,” McGovern said.

“I was in his ear trying to get him here and I’ve always wanted to play with him.

“But at the end of the day I always told him it was his decision and he can do what he wants.”

McGovern and other senior Eagles recently returned to pre-season training just two months after claiming a thrilling Grand Final win over Collingwood.

And in a scary warning for rival teams, he claimed it was “the best I’ve seen the boys turn up (for pre-season) since I’ve been at the club”.

“We’ve had six to eight weeks to enjoy it, but it’s time to move on now,” McGovern said.

“We’ve got a few other reasons to push as far as we can throughout the year and give ourselves the best opportunity to play there again.

“We’re still hungry and Simmo (Adam Simpson) has said it from day one that he wants sustained success … that’s the angle we’re taking.”